On May 8, the Xinka People issued a firm rejection of the reopening of the Escobal silver mine, operated by Vancouver-based Pan American Silver, marking the culmination of a seven-year consultation process mandated by Guatemala’s Constitutional Court. Photo by Hayley Woodin Hastings.

In the culmination of a historic consultation process in Guatemala, the Xinka Indigenous people have just presented their decision to the Guatemalan government, denying consent over the future of Vancouver-based Pan American Silver’s Escobal mine. This is a clear example of Indigenous peoples exerting their right to decide what happens on their territory.

Canada and Canadian-based mining companies have an outsized influence in Latin America given the significant government support and capital raised on Canadian stock exchanges for the industry. The company, and Canadian authorities, must respect the Xinka’s decision.

The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs has stood in solidarity with the right to self-determination of the Xinka for over five years, during which time we have passed two resolutions in support of their struggle.

We are not surprised at the outcome. For nearly seven years, the Xinka have produced, received and analyzed information on the current and potential impacts from this massive silver mine on their culture, spirituality, social fabric, water, health and ways of life.

These impacts from mining remind us of our own........

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